'The Sabres lost because they failed to sign their best two-way player and captain and were unable to get another player for him before 3 p.m. Tuesday. Peca lost, too, between $2.5 million and $3 million in salary for this season alone.'

'Here's betting the new [collective bargaining agreement] will be structured as such: The players will receive unrestricted free agency at an earlier age and, in exchange, the owners will receive a salary cap.'

'Heinze, 31, a potential unrestricted free agent, was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2001 draft. This trade became a fait accompli when the Blue Jackets and Heinze walked away from the bargaining table 30 hours before the deadline.'

'The first bona fide goal scorer in the Thrashers' brief history was traded to Buffalo on Tuesday for a fourth-round draft pick and a Czech prospect familiar only to hard-core NHL scouts. Whether the seeming lopsidedness of the deal ever dissipates remains to be seen.'

'Peca asked for a trade last October when contract talks with the Sabres went nowhere. Peca reportedly was looking for a four-year deal worth $14 million US. The Sabres' best offer was said to be a four-year pact for roughly $11.5 million.'